The public are being conned into buying sick and poorly bred pups on their doorstep by illegal puppy traders who insist on home checks in a bid to appear legitimate.
The Special Investigations Unit at the USPCA has revealed they have had several reports of this latest modus operandi by illegal puppy traders and smugglers.
And the charity has today issued a warning to animal lovers across Northern Ireland following a series of incidents in Co Antrim including Belfast, Templepatrick, Tullycarnet and Carrickfergus.
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The puppies involved were claimed to be pure bred Shih Tzus and Pomeranians and a number of so-called designer breeds, Chihuahua Yorkie mix, and Poodle Cocker Spaniel cross breeds.
Sellers present themselves as dedicated to caring about the puppies by demanding that home checks will be expected to be carried out to ensure the new home is ‘suitable’'.
The pups are transported to the buyer's address in a show of consideration, but the buyers do not ask to see the property or garden and buyers are asked to place cash in an envelope which is then handed over on the doorstep.
People who have reported the situation, say the sellers often wear hats and face coverings making identification difficult.
The USPCA says buyers who have handed money over in good faith find they have:
- A sick pup
- A much younger pup that expected
- A different gender than they asked for
- Unsubstantiated heritage of the dog with unidentified breeds mixed
The new style of transaction on the doorstep means the illegal trader knows exactly where the buyer lives and where puppies and adult dogs are living.
USPCA Animal Care Manager, Deirdre McArdle, said, “These individuals are continually adapting their operations in order to dupe unsuspecting members of the public.
"Over the past two years they have used the excuse of Covid to stop buyers viewing where the pup has been born and bred – and now we see them using the ploy of ‘home checks’ in a bid to gain the buyer’s trust.
“Illegal puppy farmers and dealers will do anything in order to appear as a legitimate seller – in this case the majority of adverts are stating that the pups come from ‘loving family homes’ and are fully wormed and vaccinated; however no proof is presented during the sale.
"Unfortunately for the buyers involved in these cases, a trip to the vet has revealed that the pups are very poorly, malnourished and many weeks younger than stated by the seller. In fact, in some cases, the pups have also been sold as the wrong gender.
"A puppy farmer’s only interest is how they can make a quick buck to the detriment of an animal’s wellbeing – unfortunately many of these cases can have a terrible outcome.
“These reports also give us cause for concern regarding the safety of the buyer and although no threats or intimidation have been involved in the reported cases, we are urging members of the public to be vigilant against this new method of operation, for their own safety and the poor animals who are mercilessly bred for profit.
“Although these incidents have taken place in the County Antrim area, it is highly likely that the sellers are operating throughout the region. Please contact the USPCA Special Investigations Unit on 028 3025 1000 or online at www.uspca.co.uk if you have any information on such activity – all information is verified and passed on to the relevant enforcement agency.”
The USPCA recommends measures to try in a bid to ensure people do not fall foul of these scammers.
They advise:
- Rehome a pet from the USPCA or local animal rescue instead
- Always see a puppy with its mother and litter
- Do not buy a pet from a car boot, the back of a van or a market stall
- Never agree to the suggestion of a ‘helpful’ meeting point
- Ask if the person is a registered commercial breeder, if so, record the number from the Local Authority Registration document
- Enquire about the pup’s health status including worming and parasites, inoculations etc. Get verifiable veterinary confirmation
- Obtain a proper receipt
